Android 15’s smart home controls and Wear OS 5 update: Google’s Latest Enhancements
Google is working on new updates for both Wear OS 5 and Android 15, enhancing its Pixel devices and Android ecosystem. Here’s a detailed look at the ongoing developments, including the paused rollout of Wear OS 5 and the smart home functionality coming with Android 15.
Wear OS 5 Update for Pixel Watch Delayed
Google initially released Wear OS 5 for its original Pixel Watch and the new Pixel Watch 2. However, the rollout was paused after some users reported that their devices became unresponsive, showing a black screen after updating. To fix this, a factory reset is required, which erases user data but can be mitigated if a backup is available.
On September 26, Google paused the Over-The-Air (OTA) update just two days after its release due to the issues users were facing. Since then, the company has removed both the OTA images and manual factory images to prevent further complications.
Google recently confirmed that it will resume the Wear OS 5 update later this year once the problems are resolved. The exact date is still unclear, but Google is actively working on the fix. Whether this pause will affect future updates, like October’s security patch, remains uncertain. In the meantime, app updates from the Google Play Store, such as battery notifications and charging screen changes, will continue to bring new features to the Pixel Watch.
Android 15: Transforming Your Device into a Smart Home Dashboard
Alongside Wear OS 5 updates, Google is enhancing Android 15 with several new features. One standout feature is the Home Controls screensaver, which turns your Android device into a smart home dashboard when docked.
First introduced in Android 15 Beta 3, the Home Controls screensaver allows users to access their smart home devices quickly from the Favorites view of the Google Home app. This feature makes it easy to control lights, cameras, and other connected devices from one screen, turning your phone or tablet into a central hub for managing your smart home.
To enable this feature, users can navigate to Settings > Display & touch > Screen saver on their Pixel devices or similar paths on other Android devices. Once activated, the screensaver will automatically display your favorite smart home controls whenever the device is docked.
The Home Controls screensaver isn’t limited to just Google Home users—it also works with other smart home platforms like Home Assistant. This opens up the feature to a wider range of users who use different smart home ecosystems, giving them a unified control experience across their devices.
Broader Availability for Smart Home Features
Although the Home Controls screensaver is an Android 15 feature, it’s not restricted to Google Pixel devices. Any Android device running Android 15 with support for screen savers can use this feature. Even the Nothing Phone 2a, which runs Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta, supports the Home Controls screensaver, demonstrating its flexibility across non-Pixel devices.
This feature builds on last year’s Android 14 update, where Google introduced an API allowing third-party apps to embed custom activities within the Device Controls interface. Device Controls let users manage smart home devices directly from a Quick Settings tile or a lock screen widget. In Android 15, this functionality has been expanded, enabling these same custom activities to appear as part of the Home Controls screensaver.
For developers, there is minimal additional work required to support this new feature. As long as the app provides the custom activity for Device Controls and ensures that it’s accessible when the device is locked, the screensaver will work seamlessly.
Conclusion
Google’s Wear OS 5 and Android 15 updates bring significant improvements to the Pixel Watch and smart home functionalities on Android devices. While the Wear OS 5 update is temporarily paused, users can expect it to resume soon, bringing stability and new features to Pixel Watch owners. At the same time, Android 15 is set to enhance smart home management through the Home Controls screensaver, transforming devices into central smart home hubs with ease. These updates signal Google’s continued focus on integrating technology into everyday life, simplifying device management, and improving user experience.